Revenue - Disaggregation of Revenue (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total net sales	$ 991.2
United States
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total net sales	895.1
International
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total net sales	96.1
Hubbell Commercial and Industrial
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total net sales	215.5
Hubbell Construction and Energy
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total net sales	186.4
Hubbell Lighting
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total net sales	216.2
Hubbell Power Systems
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total net sales	373.1
Electrical
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total net sales	618.1
Electrical | United States
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total net sales	546.7
Electrical | International
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total net sales	71.4
Electrical | Hubbell Commercial and Industrial
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total net sales	215.5
Electrical | Hubbell Construction and Energy
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total net sales	186.4
Electrical | Hubbell Lighting
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total net sales	216.2
Electrical | Hubbell Power Systems
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total net sales	0.0
Power
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total net sales	373.1
Power | United States
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total net sales	348.4
Power | International
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total net sales	24.7
Power | Hubbell Commercial and Industrial
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total net sales	0.0
Power | Hubbell Construction and Energy
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total net sales	0.0
Power | Hubbell Lighting
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total net sales	0.0
Power | Hubbell Power Systems
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total net sales	$ 373.1